Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
Sporting
Match Time & Date:
09/08/2024
21:15
Prediction: 2-0
Rio Ave
Sporting CP begin their title defence with a home game against Rio Ave on Friday evening. The Lions are eager to defend their Primeira Liga trophy and they are seen as hot favourites to win the season opener. Summer signing Zeno Debast is widely expected to make his Primeira Liga debut against Os Rioavistas, while Marcus Edwards should be recalled to the starting XI after coming as a substitute in the Super Cup defeat to Porto.
The visitors, on the other hand, will have a mountain to climb in the opening match of the season. As Sporting defeated Rio Ave in their last meeting in the Portuguese capital, we predict that the visitors are going to return home empty-handed. Ole Pohlmann is widely expected to make his Rio Ave debut against the title holders, while there are no fresh injury worries in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Sebastian Coates):
Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, on October 7, 1990, Sebastian Coates is a 196-cm-tall defender who plays for Sporting CP in Primeira Liga. Coates is the product of the hometown club Nacional, and it has to be noted that he scored eight goals in 60 appearances for the capital club in the national championship.
After ending his spell with English club Sunderland, the Uruguay international moved to Portugal, signing a loan deal with Sporting CP in January 2016. He signed a permanent contract with the Lions in February 2017.
Speaking of his international career, Sebastian Coastes made his full Uruguay debut against Chile at the 2011 Copa America. La Celeste won the trophy, with the team beating Paraguay 3-0 in the final of the competition at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires. Coates wears the number 4 shirt at Sporting CP, and his preferred foot is right.
Highlighted Team (Rio Ave):
Nicknamed Rio Grande, Rio Ave are a Portuguese club that compete in Primeira Liga. Rio Ave were founded back in 1939 and they welcome their rivals at Estadio dos Arcos, the stadium which can hold up to 12,815 people.
The team’s home shirt is green with white stripes, whilst the colour of their shorts is green. Rio Ave wear white shirts and white shorts when playing on the travels. The club’s biggest success came in the 2014/2015 season when they represented Portugal in the Europa League group stages. Rio Ave finished the process in the last position in Group J, but they did well to record their first ever win in the competition, with the team beating Danish club Aalborg 2-0 at their Estadio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube.
Former Real Madrid full-back Fabio Coentrao is considered one of the club’s most notable footballers. Manchester City first-choice goalkeeper Ederson played for Rio Ave in the past as well.
